Queen Elizabeth’s funeral: Monarch’s coffin lowered into vault as fractured royals William and Harry unite
A lip reader has revealed the words exchanged between the feuding brothers inside St George’s Chapel, as the Queen’s coffin was seen for the last time.
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King Charles III choked back tears as Queen Elizabeth II was reunited with her beloved husband, Prince Philip, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
His Majesty stood silently as his mother’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, being seen for the last time as 10 days of national mourning were capped off by extraordinary scenes of grief and grandeur.
She was laid to rest in the King George VI memorial chapel beneath St George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle, alongside her husband and her parents.
World leaders and global royalty joined 2,000 mourners for the funeral service at the 1,269-year-old Westminster Abbey, while the public flooded the city and billions more tuned in around the world.
Prince William and Prince Harry followed behind the coffin, in an echo of their mother’s funeral in 1997. But only Prince William, alone in military uniform, saluted as they passed the Cenotaph on the way from Buckingham Palace.
Queen funeral: Princes Harry, Andrew denied military uniforms and salute
Princess Charlotte cried to her older brother, Prince George, as her great-grandmother’s coffin moved from the gun carriage to the State Hearse.
The Kings’ Coldstream Guards led a spectacularly colourful display of the armed forces marching in columns ahead of the royal procession to the Wellington Arch.
Hundreds of thousands lined the streets to see the Royal Hearse on the last leg of its journey, which started in Scotland, and follow the “Long Walk” home to the Queen’s final resting place.
Queen’s funeral: Prince George, Princess Charlotte farewell Gan-Gan
Her beloved corgis, Muick and Sandy, cast two lonely figures as they waited patiently at Windsor for the Queen’s coffin to arrive for the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel.
The Royal Family, and the world, were told not to weep for the Queen.
The Dean of Windsor, Rev David Conner, praised her “calm and dignified presence” in a “rapidly changing and frequently troubled world”.
“[She] has given us confidence to face the future, as she did, with courage and with hope,” he said.
See how it unfolded below:
WHAT WILLIAM SAID TO HARRY
12.30PM: Interactions between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William have been scarce during royal engagements since the Queen died.
The once close brothers barely made eye contact during the course of the day of her funeral.
But for a brief moment inside St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle the brothers shared a short conversation.
It happened as they were taking their seats for their grandmother’s service.
Prince Harry, 38, asked his older brother: “Shall we go through first”, said lip reader Jacqui Press.
Prince William, 40, nodded before telling his wife, Kate Middleton, “Let them go through first”.
Ms Press said the Princess of Wales responded with “OK”.
Meghan Markle led the way, seemingly without making eye contact with her relatives, and was followed by Prince Harry.
After the ceremony the brothers were photographed talking with other members of the royal family, before they marched side-by-side behind the Queen’s coffin, as it made its way down The Mall.
Hours later, after Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest with her beloved husband Prince Philip at Windsor, the 38-year-old was seen trying to hold his emotions together as he left St George’s Chapel.
The Windsor burial service provided an opportunity for members of the Queen’s family to pay their respects without the public’s gaze.
3M AUSSIES TUNED IN TO SEE FUNERAL
11.48AM: More than three million Australians tuned in to the broadcasts of the historic and emotional farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.
Seven’s The Grateful Goodbye coverage was the most watched of the multi-network programming with 975,000 metro viewers.
Nine’s biggest crowd for their The Funeral Of HM Queen Elizabeth II broadcast was 879,000 as another 708,000 people tuned into the ABC at the peak of their funeral programming.
Ten offered alternative programming on their main channel with Have You Been Paying Attention? topping their show’s share of the night with 324,000 fans of the news comedy show switching off the wall-to-wall funeral coverage.
Mediaweek reports that across all networks, including Sky News, the cumulative viewership of the funeral itself over metro and regional audiences was up to 3,584,000.
DANNY ABDALLAH’S PAINFUL ADMISSION
10.51AM: The Sydney father who lost three of his children to a drunk driver has shared the raw emotion of attending the Queen’s funeral with other everyday Aussies.
Danny Abdallah said the occassion “took him back” to his kids funeral.
FRONT PAGES OF THE BRITISH PRESS
9.40AM: Side by side, together, for ever; Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth; God rest our Queen. These are just some of the headlines the British press are splashing with on their front pages with images of the Queen’s coffin and the thousands of mourners. See below.
PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND LONG QUEUE TO SEE QUEEN’S COFFIN
9.05AM: Five British universities have revealed the psychology behind last week’s infamous queue for the Queen’s lying in state will be analysed such is the extraordinary feat by so many people.
Figures are yet to be compiled but at least 300,000 people queued for up to 30 hours at a time in a bid to farewell the Queen, the opportunity ending only on the eve of her burial.
At one stage the queue ran for more than eight kilometres snaking along the banks of the Thames River.
Lifelong bonds were said to have been created from the shared emotional hardship experience.
Researchers and “crowd psychologists” from the universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh, Dundee, Sussex and Keele confirmed they had been taking surveys of those in the queue, many welcoming of the distraction from the hours standing up.
The London ambulance service confirmed more than 400 people had collapsed from the feat.
It has been reported the three main reasons for taking part have been a chance to be part of history, die hard royalists and those suffering personal grief from the Queen’s or other loved one’s loss.
Those who chose to ignore the whole 10 days and were not necessarily republican will also be surveyed.
According to St Andrew University Professor Stephen Reicher, from the school of psychology, “psychological crowds” shared a sense of purpose and value but it was not clear why.
Not showering or washing and being odorous as a group rather than as an individual was seen as a shared collective rather than a smelly individual.
ROYAL FAMILY SHARES LAST MESSAGE
8.10AM: The Royal Family’s Twitter account has shared a last message in memory of Her Majesty the Queen after her funeral service today in Westminster and private burial in Windsor.
The image shows a young Queen in the country, presumed to be Scotland, with a paraphrased line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
“May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest” and “In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen.”.
King Charles’ first public address to the nation also included the same Shakespearean line.
‘May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022
In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen.
1926 - 2022 pic.twitter.com/byh5uVNDLq
THE QUEEN IS LAID TO REST
6AM: The royal family announced the Queen has been buried in The King George VI Memorial Chapel, conducted by the Dean of Windsor.
“The Queen was buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh, at The King George VI Memorial Chapel,” the Royal family statement said.
It was the last time the Queen’s coffin would be seen by her family. The coffin was seen by the public for the last time after was lowered into the vault at St George’s Chapel earlier.
PRIVATE BURIAL SERVICE BEGINS
4.30AM: The Royal family began its private burial service for Queen Elizabeth II, attended by King Charles III and the immediate royal family.
The Dean of Windsor conducted the service in the King George VI memorial chapel in St George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle.
The Queen will be laid to rest alongside her husband Prince Philip and her parents — King George VI and the Queen Mother.
POLICE ‘TAKEN UNWELL’ DURING FUNERAL
3:30AM: At least five police officers received medical treatment after falling ill while standing guard during the Queen’s funeral in London.
Two members of the Royal Navy were carried on a stretcher, an officer wearing full ceremonial uniform was treated, before the ceremony in Westminster got underway.
Four other officers “received medical attention after being taken unwell” and that all five have since recovered, The Metropolitan Police said.
QUEEN JOINS PRINCE PHILIP IN CHAPEL VAULT
2AM: King Charles has left St George’s Chapel, with his public duties now over after a marathon week.
He was driven away from the church, after looking grief stricken inside the historic church.
The service at St George’s Chapel concluded the grand ceremonial aspects of the day.
The Queen will later be interred with her husband Prince Philip at a private service at 4.30am Australian time.
King Charles has crisscrossed the United Kingdom and met with world leaders this week, while also dealing with his personal loss.
Princess Beatrice was comforted by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as she walked from St George’s Chapel to Windsor Castle.
The short walk up the hill was by choice, as some older royals were driven.
Mr Mozzi placed a hand on his wife’s back as she was hit with the emotion of the day.
Her mother Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, walked back with the couple.
GOD SAVE THE KING
1:55AM: Prince Harry belted out God Save the King during the service, with his wife Meghan Markle joining him in song by his side.
The Duke of Sussex shared a reassuring smile with Princess Charlotte, who earlier broke down in tears at the Queen’s funeral.
She was joined by the Queen’s other great-grandchildren, Isla and Savannah Phillips, 11 and 10 and Mia Tindall, 8.
WAND OF OFFICE BROKEN
1:50AM: The Queen loved nothing more than when things went awry during official proceedings, but her funeral went without a hitch, including the perilous walk up the steps to St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
The Imperial State Crown, which weighs just over a kilogram, orb and the Sceptre were removed safely from the Coffin by the Crown Jeweller and the Dean placed them on the Altar.
It was followed by the most moving part of the committal ceremony, when The Lord Chamberlain “broke” his Wand of Office and placed it on the Coffin. It will be buried with Her Majesty.
A QUEEN UNCROWNED
1:40AM: The symbols of the Queen’s sovereignty, her Crown and sceptre, were removed from her coffin to prepare for her interment.
The glittering crown, which has 3000 diamonds, has been on her coffin since it was placed in Westminster Hall five days ago.
Remarkably, it remained on the coffin even as it was being carried by the pall bearers and as it was transported in the State Hearse from central London.
THE QUEEN’S PARTING GESTURE
1:35AM: Amid the outpouring of grief, the Queen, who gave her approval to her funeral plans, offered a parting, soothing gesture.
Her late Majesty chose a reading from the book of Revelation.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away,” the Dean of Windsor read.
It was a beautiful, comforting moment for those in the church and the billions watching on television.
A ‘CALM AND DIGNIFIED PRESENCE’
1:30AM: The Dean of Windsor praised the late Queen’s “calm and dignified presence” during her committal service in St George’s Chapel
The Rev David Conner remembered someone “whose uncomplicated yet profound” faith bore fruit in her life of “service to the Nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world”.
“But also, and especially to be remembered in this place, in kindness, concern and reassuring care for her family and friends and neighbours,” he said.
He praised the Queen’s “calm and dignified presence” in an otherwise “rapidly changing and frequently troubled world”.
“[She] has given us confidence to face the future, as she did, with courage and with hope,” he said.
“As, with grateful hearts, we reflect on these and all the many other ways in which her long life has been a blessing to us, we pray that God will give us grace to honour her memory by following her example, and that, with our sister Elizabeth, at the last, we shall know the joys of life eternal.”
GUARD OF HONOUR
1:20AM: King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry were among those forming a guard of honour as the Queen arrived for a final service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Her Majesty was carried into the church with the sound of a beautiful choir.
Prince William waited for his brother Prince Harry before he took up his seat in the chapel.
The brothers were seated in front of the Queen’s coffin, along with Princess Catherine.
Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, continued their remarkable attendance at the funeral, sitting alongside their parents and uncle.
A FINAL SALUTE
1:15AM: The Queen’s coffin has been carried into St George’s Chapel for a committal service before being put to rest.
St George’s Chapel holds both happy and sad memories for the Royal Family.
Prince Harry and Meghan were married there in 2018, but it was also where they farewelled Prince Philip last year.
At that funeral, the Queen sat alone because of Covid-19 restrictions.
An image of that lonely moment went global and later cost Boris Johnson his job as Prime Minister.
It was later revealed he had a party the night before Prince Philip’s funeral in breach of lockdown rules.
ROYALS ARRIVE, CANNON FIRES, BELL TOLLS
1AM: Cannons fired, the bell tolled and bagpipes played “Flowers of the Forest” as the Queen’s hearse passes through the Norman Gates. The Scottish folk song remembers the Scottish army defeated at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, and is the traditional tune played after the funeral of the sovereign.
The royal family arrived in Windsor Castle to meet the Queen’s hearse. King Charles appears somewhat emotional but steadfast in his role, leading his family to follow the Queen’s coffin to St George’s Chapel.
CORGIS WAIT FOR QUEEN TO COME HOME
12:45AM: Two corgis, Muick and Sandy, created a heartbreaking scene as they waited patiently outside St George’s Chapel for the Queen’s coffin to arrive home to Windsor for the last time.
Prince Andrew was seen to Her Majesty’s pets. Her beloved corgis will live with Prince Andrew and his Sarah Ferguson (who still live together).
The procession has reached the gates of Windsor Castle, where flower beds filled with “tiny bouquets” line the path forward.
The Queen’s horse Emma waits patiently on the grass, farewelling her owner with a single stamp of a hoof.
WILD SCENES ON LONG WALK
12:20AM: The procession has reached the final stretch to Windsor Castle, with the sounds of trumpets and horses hoofs echoing across the field.
Dignitaries and special guests continue to make their way to St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle.
The Queen’s hearse is covered in flowers thrown over by members of the public that have stood lining the late Monarch’s path to Windsor.
The hearse is followed by lines of horses, a sight that the late equine-loving Queen would certainly be pleased with.
CROWDS REACH CAPACITY
11:30PM: The Kings’ Coldstream Guards led a spectacularly colourful display of columns of armed forces through the streets of Windsor ahead of the arrival of the royal procession.
As thousands shuffled their way toward the Long Walk boulevard on which the royal procession was due to pass, an announcement over the outdoor PA system declared the area they were streaming to had reached capacity. The Long Walk capacity was set at 90,000 people.
There was a collective groan as thousands of people were instead directed to a nearby rugby park and a giant screen.
But then cheers went up when a military band could be heard then emerging from the nearby Coldstream Guards’ Victoria Barracks leading a column of all armed forces. The parade in eight waves of different forces and at least three bands and horses were cheered on as they made their way up Sheet Street in the centre of Windsor.
CROWDS WAITING AT WINDSOR
11PM: In Windsor, people camped overnight for the best vantage spot along The Long Walk, a 2.5km driveway along which the Queen will pass on her way to St George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle.
There is a 90,000 person capacity in the enclosed areas about this boulevard and by mid morning the crowds began streaming in six abreast with that capacity set to be realised.
Within the enclosure it was initially something of a carnival atmosphere with coffee and fish and chips and pork sausage vans, flag and souvenir sellers and teenagers playing frisbee. But then it became more solemn with anticipation, tents were packed up and the crush toward the driveway barriers began. Large screens across Windsor were erected for those who could not make it near the driveway.
Hundreds of police have been deployed to the area, airport security barriers screening those who will be in glimpse range of the procession.
CHAOS ON LONDON STREETS
10.36PM: There is chaos on streets of central London with people unable to exit the crowd almost an hour after the procession ended.
Confusion among security and police has seen the huge crowds sent in two different directions only to hit closed gates on both sides.
Authorities then realised there was no exit actually open and it was still undecided how crowds would exit.
Exhausted mourners were visibly frustrated.
Many have stood for hours to be here, some since last night, desperate to get somewhere where they can sit down or have some food.
“My partner has my medication on her,” an elderly man could be heard telling security.
ROYALS FOLLOW BY FOOT AND CAR
QUEEN’S COFFIN GOES BY BUCKINGHAM PALACE
10.10PM: The Queen’s coffin was taken around the fountain in front Buckingham Palace, where so many of her favourite memories were made.
It was there just a few months ago the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee – 70 years on the throne – and where she slipped out to celebrate with the crowds in her military uniform when Britain declared victory in World War II in 1945.
Buckingham Palace was also where she recorded her skit of having tea with Paddington Bear for those Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Queen’s household staff formed a guard of honour outside Buckingham Palace, mourning the loss of their monarch, their boss, and their friend.
FUNERAL PROCESSION HEADS TO THE PALACE
9.40PM. An extraordinary funeral procession carrying the Queen’s coffin travelled from Westminster Abbey, through central London.
King Charles and his siblings were in the public march in front of hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets.
Prince William and Prince Harry also marched behind the coffin, in an echo of the walk the pair did at their mother’s funeral in 1997.
However, in a snub, Prince Harry was not allowed to wear his military uniform because he was no longer a working royal since he decamped to the United States.
Prince William, who was in military uniform, saluted at the Cenotaph, a war memorial on Whitehall, a stone’s throw from Downing Street.
Prince Harry did not salute.
Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, followed behind in a car with Princess Catherine and Camilla, the Queen Consort.
The young Prince George watched the crowds through the window of his car, seeing a vision of what his life will be like one day when he eventually becomes King.
COFFIN LEAVES WESTMINSTER ABBEY
9.23PM: The Queen’s coffin has left Westminster Abbey. It is moving towards Wellington Arch and being followed by the King, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Duke of York and the Princess Royal.
Before the coffin procession left the abbey, Major Paul Burns, piper to the sovereign, played the traditional lament Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.
The route is being lined by the armed forces from Westminster Abbey to the top of Constitution Hill at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates.
Mounties of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police lead the procession featuring representatives of the George Cross foundations from Malta, the former Royal Ulster Constabulary, and four representatives from the NHS.
Guns were fired in Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery every minute during the procession, while Big Ben tolls every minute.
HANDWRITTEN NOTE ON COFFIN
9.14PM: A handwritten note on top of the Queen’s coffin is said to be a message from King Charles himself. When Prince Philip died in 2021, the Queen left her own handwritten note on top of her husband’s coffin, signing it “Lilibet”. The contents of King Charles’ note to his beloved “mummy” have not been revealed. It says: “In loving and devoted memory Charles R.”
NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR KING CHARLES
9:07PM: In a stark contrast to the past 70 years of official royal functions, the British national anthem was sung mentioning King Charles, rather than the Queen.
The congregation sang God Save the King, as the new monarch stood in silence.
Previously, the words were God Save the Queen, in reference to the late Elizabeth II.
Camilla, the Queen Consort, standing next to King Charles joined in the chorus.
Australia had the same national anthem until it was changed to Advance Australia Fair in 1984.
THE LAST POST IS PLAYED
9PM: In a nod to the Queen’s role with the military, The Last Post, was played at her funeral.
Five trumpeters, dressed in an ornate yellow uniform, played the moving music.
There was also a spine tingling silence.
Prince William stood to attention, and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson bowed his head during the silence.
Only a stray cough interrupted the poignant moment.
MINUTE OF SILENCE
8.59PM: Across the world, people joined in a minute of silence.
HIDDEN MEANING IN MUSIC, FLOWERS
8.58PM: The Royal Family’s attention to detail was on display at the Queen’s funeral.
An ethereal piece of music that was composed for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 was also performed at her farewell.
The Westminster Abbey choir sang: “O taste and see how gracious the Lord is blest is the man that in him.”
The music was written by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the Coronation, which was one of the first major events broadcast on television.
The wreath on Her Majesty’s coffin was a collection of flower cuttings from significant places in her life – Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House. Chosen by the King, the wreath also included rosemary for remembrance and myrtle cut from the plant grown from Queen Elizabeth’s bridal bouquet.
MOVING PRAYERS
8:43PM: The Queen, who oversaw plans for her funeral plans, embraced church leaders from across the United Kingdom and included female religious ministers in the service.
The Prayers, a moment in the service where the congregation make specific pleas for help from God, began with the Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Shermara Fletcher, Principal Officer for Pentecostal and Charismatic Relations, Churches Together in England, also delivered a prayer.
Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London and Helen Cameron, Moderator of the Free Churches Group, were also given the honour.
ARCHBISHOP’S MOVING SERMON
8.35PM: Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who knew the Queen personally, delivered the sermon for Queen Elizabeth.
He pointed out that the power the Queen had was earned, not given, because of her life of selfless service.
“The pattern for many leaders is to be exalted in life and to be forgotten in death,” he said.
“Her late Majesty famously declared on her 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to service.
“Rarely has such a promise been so well kept.
“Few leaders receive the outpouring of love that we have seen.”
Archbishop Welby also pointed to the Queen’s message delivered in the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic when former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in hospital gravely ill with the disease.
In that stirring message, the Queen echoed the words of Vera Lynn, the wartime singer, saying: “We will meet again.”
Archbishop Welby said the Christian faith so beloved by the Queen offered that hope too.
BRITISH PM LIZ TRUSS SPEAKS
8.20PM: British Prime Minister Liz Truss stepped up in her second week into the job, delivering a stirring, poignant reading at the Queen’s funeral.
Speaking with determination and reverence, Ms Truss read the Second Lesson, a reading from St John that is commonly used at funerals because it speaks to the mercy of God.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you,” Ms Truss read.
“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
HARRY AND WILLS EMOTIONAL
8.10PM: Prince Harry was penseful as he walked in behind his grandmother’s coffin into the same church where his mother was buried 25 years ago.
His wife Meghan was dressed elegantly in a black dress with high neckline and striking hat, similar to one her sister-in-law Princess Catherine, was wearing.
King Charles looked tired as he took up his seat near the altar of the 753-year-old Westminster Abbey.
His wife, Camilla, Queen Consort, sat next to him on a red chair, just metres from the Queen’s coffin, which was draped in the Royal Standard.
QUEEN’S COFFIN ARRIVES
8PM: The Queen’s coffin has arrived at Westminster Abbey on a gun carriage.
A solemn Prince Harry, King Charles, Duke of York and Princess Royal Princess Anne accompanied the coffin through the abbey entrance.
She was married there, crowned there, and now she will be farewelled at Westminster Abbey.
The Grenadier Guards had the honour and solemn duty of carrying the Queen’s coffin into the church in central.
The eight guards from a regiment that has been linked to the monarchy since it was established in 1656.
The guards gracefully took the Queen’s coffin from the gun carriage and held it at waist level, before taking several sharp steps to their left.
The Bearer Party then raised the coffin to their left shoulders, before walking into the church.
The congregation stood in honour of the Queen as the Bearer Party took the coffin around the grave of the Unknown Warrior, while the choir sang “I am the resurrection and the life”.
ROYALS ARRIVE TO FAREWELL QUEEN
QUEEN BEGINS JOURNEY TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY
7.44PM. The Queen has begun her journey from Westminster Hall, where she was lying-in-state for four days, to Westminster Abbey for her funeral.
In what will become an iconic image of the funeral, her children King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew followed behind.
Prince William and Prince Harry, who like his uncle was in a suit rather than his military uniform despite both seeing active service, followed them behind.
Bagpipers and drummers accompanied the procession, with the Queen’s coffin carried on the same gun carriage used in her father’s funeral in February 1952.
Sand was placed on the roads around Parliament Square between Westminster hall and the Abbey to make it easier to pull the carriage.
FERGIE ARRIVES AT FUNERAL
7:42PM: Bringing up the rear of the extended Royal family members arriving at the Abbey was Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who posted an emotional tribute to her former mother-in-law on Instagram earlier in the week.
Fergie, as she became known when dating Prince Andrew before their marriage, walked behind their daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and sons-in-laws Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack brooksbank.
As they made their way down the Abbey’s long aisle, the Queen Consort, Princess of Wales and her children George and Charlotte were met the Abbey to wait for the arrival of the Queen’s coffin.
JAPAN’S EMPEROR JOINS ABBEY MOURNERS
7.30PM: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako from Japan has arrived. He is said to have fond memories of the times he spent with the Queen when he was a student at Oxford University in the early 1980s.
BBC’S ALBO ‘ERROR’
7.25PM The BBC appeared to forget who Anthony Albanese was when he appeared on screen.
The UK’s national broadcaster made reference to the impact Queen Elizabeth II had on world politics as Commonwealth leaders Jacinda Ardern and Justin Trudeau appeared on camera.
But when the camera panned to Mr Albanese, they fell silent.
MACRON TAKES HIS SEAT
7.20PM: French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at Westminster Abbey with his wife, Brigitte. The pair paid their respects to the late Queen yesterday while lying in state in Westminster Hall.
BIDEN ARRIVES
6.51pm: President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill arrived just short of an hour before the funeral was due to proceed. The pair held hands as they were greeted by the Dean and waited to be escorted to their seats as the final half of the congregation filed into the Abbey.
They had been stuck in a London traffic jam, ahead of the Queen’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey later today.
As thousands flock to pay their respects, delays are wreaking havoc on city streets, and no one is exempt to the waiting games.
The Biden motorcade, known as “The Beast” is reportedly stuck outside one of the UK’s most popular coffee chains, Pret, in Central London.
The President is seemingly in good spirits, waving to surprised onlookers who pass the Beast.
The Presidential couple paid their respects to the Queen yesterday as she lay in State in the Abbey.
American President comes to a standstill in London traffic near Marble Arch. Might as well have taken the bus. pic.twitter.com/lJ2nNE5kC9
— Joe Armitage (@joe_armitage) September 19, 2022
Meanwhile, those wishing to pay their respects are warned to expect large, dense crowds, with reports suggesting there is no more standing room for those hoping to get a glimpse outside the church.
Those travelling through Paddington Station are being confronted with hour long delays due to electrification issues.
Great Western Railway apologised for the delays on Twitter, and ensured they were working to get services running as soon as possible.
“We are very sorry for the disruption this morning,” they tweeted, suggesting alternative routes for those still wishing to head to the memorial.
ABBEY STARTS TO FILL
6.19PM. Guests are taking their seats at Westminster Abbey.
WORLD LEADERS ARRIVE
6:10PM: Many of the world’s leaders have arrived, including the United Kingdom’s past prime ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair.
Global royalty have also come to farewell the Queen, including Queen Letitzia and King Felipe of Spain, and Queen Rania and Abdullah II of Jordan.
Presidents of Brazil and Ireland are in attendance, as is the vice president of China, Wang Qishan.
ALCOTT, ROBERTS-SMITH ENTER THE ABBEY
6.06PM: The extraordinary Australians invited to represent the country at the Queen’s funeral have arrived at Westminster Abbey.
The contingent of nine exceptional citizens, led by Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, entered the Abbey from one of its discreet side entrances more than two hours before the funeral was scheduled to begin.
Already seated among the congregation which is expected to number more than 2000 invited guests was Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, who travelled to the UK on his own.
ALBO ARRIVES WITH JUSTIN TRUDEAU
6PM Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seated seven rows behind King Charles between Antigua and Barbados.
The Abbey is filled with the perfumed flowers of gladioli and asiatic lilies.
There is a quiet hum before the ceremony starts with many comments about Prince George and Princess Charlotte being part of the procession.
He arrived alongside his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Australian guests are seated in the Nave, with the royal family will be in the Lantern.
Speaking from London just before heading to Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral, Mr Albanese told 2GB viewing Her Majesty’s body lying in state was “just quite extraordinary”.
“I’ve been waking up quite early and going on walks along the Thames and yesterday the queues to visit the lying in state of Queen Elizabeth went for many miles … and, walking along the line as we were in the early hours of the morning, it’s just quite extraordinary. You couldn’t see the end of it,” he said.
“I’ve met people from Melbourne and Geelong and Sydney and from all around the country. I had a moment yesterday where someone yelled out in the line, ‘Hey, Albo’. And I went over and of course, I have security with me. And I said, ‘Where are you from?’ And he said, ‘Kent’.
“He was a young fellow who was a follower of Australian politics. But people are really engaged and there is certainly a deep affection for Queen Elizabeth. You can just feel it right around the streets of London,” Mr Albanese said.
This morning in London I will attend the state funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Audiences around the world watch the procession, which will be broadcast live on the ABC. pic.twitter.com/88mcNhebYj
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 19, 2022
AUSSIES LEAVE FOR THE FUNERAL
5.25PM: Dressed head to toe in black, the nine “everyday “Aussies” filed from their grand hotel into two mini buses heading for Westminster Abbey.
Filled with apprehension, some with dread and others buoyed at the prospect of joining kings, queens, emperors and politicians celebrating the Queen’s life, they clambered into the two shiny Mercedes vans waving at the pilgrimage of mourners marching to take their spots for the “biggest show on earth”.
It will be a day they will never repeat and one they feel privileged to have been invited to.
They captured the historic moment in a picture minutes earlier gathered in the grand lobby of the Royal Horse Guards hotel on Whitehall in Westminster.
“The reality of knowing you’re just a girl from the bush in Australia and about to be potentially viewed by 4 billion people is somewhat overwhelming … for sure,” said Shanna Whan, from rural New South Wales, dressed in a Carla Zampatti gown.
“I’m so thankful that I have a perfect dress and hat.
“My absolute priority other than showing my respects to Her Majesty is in representing the rural space and those my charity Sober fights so hard for.”
Tasmanian former police officer Kim Smith said: “I feel a mixture of apprehension and excitement and sadness. It’s a flood of emotions. I’m thinking of my own parents today.”
Local hero Saba Abraham, adored in a black veil fashioned for a funeral, said, “I feel grateful and honoured, but at the same time very sad.”
SNIPERS TAKE POSITION
4.57PM: Snipers were visible along the rooftops of Westminster, where thousands and
thousands of people are lining the pavement below.
They were positioned high above the streets and on top of Westminster Hall, where the Queen’s coffin has been lying in state ahead of the funeral procession to the Abbey.
It was part of a huge security detail which also included Metropolitan Police, general security officers, sniffer dogs and soldiers.
AUSSIES WAIT TO SEE QUEEN’S COFFIN
4.40PM: Australians have joined the mourners for the Queen in London.
Brendan Tam, 27, from Shepparton in Victoria is currently studying history at a British university.
For the past week he has followed King Charles around the UK, including travelling to see the new monarch when he visited Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff on Friday.
“When I got back to London I went straight into the queue to see the Queen’s coffin,” Mr Tam said.
“I waited about 10 hours. It was a special atmosphere, sharing that with people wanting to pay their respects to the Queen.”
Nathan Porter, 23, who is studying to be a priest in Germany, came into London for the funeral.
The University of Melbourne graduate, who grew up in Templestowe said “it’s a moment in history I didn’t want to miss”.
Jeremy Mann, 20, who was in Europe but flew into London, said he was amazed at how many people were in London to honour the Queen.
“Queen Elizabeth was so well respected in the entirety of the world,” Mr Mann said.
Mr Mann, who is a member of the Australian Monarchist League, said there was a “lot of affection for the Queen.”
Anthony Frencken, 25, of Elwood, Melbourne, was studying Spanish in Madrid, but managed to get a flight to London for the funeral.
The Australians were among hundreds of thousands of people flooding into London, with crowds already building ahead of her funeral later today.
CROWDS BUILD AHEAD OF FUNERAL
4.30PM: Well before the sun was even up, tens of thousands of members of the public poured into Westminster, where the roads were closed and even pathways had largely been blocked off before 5am.
Maggie, 56, from Pimlico set up camp late Sunday night in a bid to be near the action.
But the wait didn’t bother her: “I’ve been asleep the whole time,” she said.
“I brought my chair, my phone, some water and some little snacks.”
Maggie explained that she jumped at the opportunity to pay her respects to the late monarch.
“The Queen was a great lady, and she’s always been there for me and my family.
“All my life all I’ve ever wanted was to meet and shake hands with the Queen and I never got to do that … so now my ambition is to meet the King.”
Scott Rogers, from Plymouth, and Fiona Ogilvie, from Cornwall, arrived at 10am on Sunday for the 11am funeral on Monday.
They said the more than 24 hour wait was nothing compared to the Queen’s 70 years of service.
“We first started out at Westminster Abbey and then that’s obviously a clinical area so we moved over here,” Fiona, 54, who served in the Royal Air Force, said.
“I used to be in the services and so did Scott so it was very important to us because she was our boss really.”
Scott said: “I always knew I would come to the Queen’s funeral, from the time I served in the Royal Marines right through to now. It’s just an honour to be here.”
Both said the camaraderie among the crowd had made the wait easy.
Andrew, 50, from Suffolk, was not far behind the couple.
Originally published as Queen Elizabeth’s funeral: Monarch’s coffin lowered into vault as fractured royals William and Harry unite
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